Raging Bull at The Paramount

This movie is #24 on AFI's Top 100, and now I understand why. Martin Scorcese directing and Robert DeNiro (who's never been better, I'd say) starring are an un-stoppable combination, and this entire movie proves it. It's gritty and raw, but it's also funny, exciting, and sad. I loved every minute of it. I found so many parts of it to be absolutely awesome - the camera angles, the conversations, the relationships, the unnecessary black-and-white, the emphasis on various items or scenes that another director would have overlooked etc. This is a must-see for any film lover like me. Even if you're not a film-lover, I think it would be interesting to watch. So please, CHECK IT OUT!

I saw this at The Paramount, and it is now my favorite movie theater. Walking in felt like I was IN a movie - because it looks like this (minus the drum set.) It's elegant and ornate and has BOX SEATS, but at the same time, most people around me were sipping a beer they got from the mini-bar in the foyer. The entrance and hallways are just as beautiful. I can't wait to go back! Thank you Austin, for holding this little gem deep in the heart of downtown, deep in the heart of TEXAS!

Crazy Heart

This is a beautiful story with beautiful acting, but the movie overall leaned toward boring for me. Jeff Bridges is great, and the scenery is gorgeous as only Texas/the South can be. However, the movie kind of drags in some parts. It felt like the first 90% of the movie was repeating itself, and then the last 10% goes out with a bang. It's worth checking out for an excellent performance from Jeff Bridges (and Maggie Gyllenhaal), but be prepared for a sad story that seems repetitive.

The A-Team

I know this may not sound like a movie that I would see on it's opening weekend, but I was swayed by one major factor: Bradley Cooper - he is The Hotness. So, I went into it expecting some action and some hot Bradley Cooper. And, it's filled with both! The action is C R A Z Y - at one point, they're seriously navigating a tank that's falling from the sky. It stays exciting the whole movie, but the plot is choppy and confusing, and most lines are ultra cheesy. It manages to stay funny (I definitely laughed out loud) and exciting though, so it's worth a look-see for viewers who enjoy some good action... or some good Bradley Cooper.

Prince of Persia

Okay. Let me just preface this whole post with: Jake Gyllenhaal is one of my biggest celebrity crushes, and I'm sure this crush swayed my feelings toward the positive for this movie. However, I kept that in mind, and tried to look at it from a general perspective.... and I found it an entertaining cross between "The Mummy" and "Pirates of the Caribbean." It's funny and has alot of action, the action starts from pretty much the first scene and never lets up much. But if I can be completely honest (and this is MY blog, why shouldn't I be?) I would have watched JG read the phone book for 2 hours if they sold tickets for that. Throw in lots of muscles, kicking butt, and saving-the-world, etc and I'm a goner. I'll admit that it would be hard for me to give JG anything but a good grade, but luckily it's not necessary to lie. This movie is entertaining enough to hold it's own for pretty much anyone (Dads, kids, etc), and eye-candy enough for the ladies to enjoy as well. I'd say CHECK IT OUT!

Get Him to the Greek

I don't have alot to say about this movie, it's just pretty BLAH. The few funny parts are in the trailer, and the movie bounces back and forth between silly and serious ridiculously often. Their attempts at serious felt awkward and forced, and the funny stuff wasn't really THAT funny. I'd say PASS.

Nine

This movie is... strange. It has great actors and some great musical scenes, but the in-between stuff is really sloppy. All the women were great, but I was disappointed in Daniel Day-Lewis. He just didn't seem to fit the part for me. Although, it was all of his parts that were the sloppy bridges between musical numbers, and maybe that's why he was so disappointing. Overall, the movie is chaotic, over-indulgent, and confusing. I'm usually a big fan of any musical, but this one missed the mark. I'd say PASS.